Year: 2018
Medium: Mixed media : Glass beads, taxidermy, aluminum
Dimensions: 26 x 38 x 38 cm (10 1/4 x 15 x 15 in.)
Acquired from SBI Art Auction, 2022
This is one of Nawa’s representative series “PixCell”. A taxidermied mandarin duck has been encased with countless beads. The beads prevent the viewers from appreciating the beautiful leathers – nuptial plumage, which normally has a high appreciation value in detail. The transparency of the beads allows the viewers to easily observe the inside each bead. However, the mandarin duck itself, as a single organism appears to be slowly decomposed into a collection of small, particle-like units (Pixel) because of the surface is covered with beads (Cell) in various sizes. It is as if the reincarnation of a cell is being visualized. The beautiful figure is given permanence as a taxidermy, and the structure is being firmly protected by countless beads. On the contrary, this artwork strongly suggests the visual decomposition and disintegration, and offers the viewers the impression of covering their eyes and rejecting them from the object. Even though it is obvious that the mandarin duck is there, it is impossible to touch it directly or see it clearly.
